If you have a holiday booked, the chances are that you’ve highlighted it in block red in the calendar and are counting down the days. For many of us getting away is, after all, the best and perhaps only chance to unwind. Hence why we book trips at the start of the year and spend the rest of the time looking forward to them!

Finally, though, the big day is in sight, and you’re starting to think about how you can make the most of every second of your trip. You don’t want to waste precious time, after all, especially not considering how much it’s cost you!

For the most part, packing your vacay with fun activities shouldn’t be all too difficult, but there is one day that too often falls by the wayside. Many of us simply fail to give due thought to the day we arrive, especially if our flights mean that we miss half of it. 

That’s a real shame considering that the first day of your trip is just as important (and expensive) as all the others. That’s why we’ve put together a little guide to help you make your first day memorable, no matter what. 

Plan flights right

If your flight arrives at midday, making the most of that afternoon is always going to be tricky. Instead, try to plan flights right. Preferably, you want to find a flight that lands in the evening so you can sleep it off ready to enjoy your first day in its entirety. If that’s not possible, always look out for flights that land early in the morning. Then, you’ll be able to touch down, check-in, and head straight out to start exploring. 

Flight times aside, you should also think about how you’ll feel when you step off that plane. If you’re bedraggled, jet-lagged, and exhausted, then there’s no way you’re going to get the most from the day ahead. That way, you don’t have to deal with the fuzzy-headed effects of even a long flight. Think, too, about refreshing your makeup before you land, and keeping a change of clothes in your hand luggage so you can freshen up and get ready from the second you step off that flight. 

Get your bearings in advance

Many of us dedicate our first vacay days to getting our bearings. You might head into the local town to get the feel or check out the best eating spots. That’s all well and good, but it can lead to that wasted first-day syndrome you’re trying to avoid. 

Instead, it’s worth using the tech available to tackle that bearings thing before you even arrive at your destination. Google Maps is a wonderful thing, after all, and just typing in where you’re staying could be a revelation for every trip you have after this. 

After all, checking in your hotel postcode will put you right on those streets from the comfort of your home. Not only will this work wonders for helping you actually find the place when you get there, but it’ll also save you the whole walking around blindly thing. Instead, you can explore the entire place on your phone, laptop, or whatever, and even choose where you fancy eating on that first day if you want to. This can save SO much time, and might even mean you can plan something else for your first-day itinerary, too.

Know what you want to do ahead of time

Speaking of itineraries, it’s worth getting ahead here pre-travel, too. After all, taking time out to plan out your trip could take up your entire first day in itself. By instead making sure to do all this planning stuff before you leave, you can both save yourself a whole load of hassle when you land and plan a first-day outing that fits within whatever timeframe you’re working with. 

This is the ideal thing for kicking your trip off with a bang, especially if you’re landing in the morning. Instead of wasting precious time umming and ahhing about what you want to do, you’ll be able to drop your bags off and get straight to your pre-planned outing. You could even go ahead and book coaches or excursions in advance if you’re confident your flight will arrive on time! Either way, there’s little chance of you feeling like that first day has gone to waste if you already have a time-saving plan to fall back on.

Learn a little of the language 

Sometimes, the first day of any trip can stall because of things like language barriers. While your confidence will likely grow, you might initially feel shy about ordering drinks, stepping onto buses, or even trying to navigate train systems. Even if you get everything else right for a fantastic first day, this fact alone could see you sticking close to the hotel, or refusing to leave that sun lounger. 

 

With this in mind, it’s always worth learning a few language basics beforehand. You needn’t worry too much about this, just be sure to pack a language book in your hand luggage, and spend the flight brushing up on essentials. Simple things, like knowing how to order a drink or say please and thank you, can work wonders for getting you out there right away. You might also want to learn about things like bus etiquette and how to ask for a return ticket. Then, there won’t be anything stopping you from hopping on public transport to go wherever you fancy from the second you arrive. 

 

A final word

 

Making the most of every second of your trip should always be a priority, and that includes your first day. Don’t let those precious hours slip away with pointless things like initial explorations. Instead, take these simple steps, and dive into your vacation head first for the best trip of your life.